QUESTIONING THE PLACE OF ZAĞANOS PAŞA MOSQUE IN THE URBAN MEMORY AS A TALKING HISTORY
Abstract
With the development of social life, people began to exist in cities, and over time, cities became centers of cultural, social, and spatial organization. The elements that maintain urban life and social balance are shaped within a set of cultural values; these values determine individuals' lifestyles, their relationships with the environment, and their sense of belonging within the city. Culture is a powerful phenomenon shaped through shared experiences and interactions, ensuring the continuity of society. These shared experiences pave the way for the formation of a collective memory at the urban level, establishing a bond of continuity between the past and the present. In Turkish culture, with the adoption of Islam, mosques became central to social life; the spatial order that developed around mosques facilitated individuals' socialization, cultural interaction, and integration around shared values. The mosque is not only a place of worship but also a focal point that interacts with its users on emotional, cultural, and spatial levels. This study examines the place of the Balıkesir Zağanos Paşa Mosque, which sustains the Turkish urban fabric, in urban memory and how it is perceived by different user groups. As part of a workshop conducted with students from the Department of Architecture at Balıkesir University, a mental mapping method was employed, drawing on Descartes' concept of mental-bodily memory and Umberto Eco's approach to spatial perception. The research hypothesis is that through mental mapping, participants' spatial perceptions within their urban memory will be made visible and their awareness of the mosque structure will be increased through semiotic analysis.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Contemporary World History (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
September 17, 2026
Submission Date
July 28, 2026
Acceptance Date
September 14, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1